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Managing access remotely

High walls, electric fencing and state-of-the-art alarm and CCTV systems have become an integral part of South African life in the face of the country’s unprecedented crime level. To counter the rapid advancement of security technology, criminal syndicates are continually advancing and refining their modus operandi as evidenced by their well-planned, well-researched attacks. Yet residents who barricade themselves into their properties could cut off vital access from their armed response companies in an emergency.

“Crime control today is not only about installing various physical security measures if armed response security personnel are unable to enter the premises to investigate the cause of an alarm which is a critical elements of protection. It is not much use for them to respond to an alarm in an instant, only for them to be unable to get on to the property.”

Similarly, homeowners that wish to grant access to the property for the garden services or pool repairs, need not leave work to cater for these suppliers. This is according to Ingo Mutinelli, national sales manager for Elvey Security Technologies.

The Gatekeeper empowers the user to be in control of who enters the premises and when. Fundamentally a cellphone inner, says Mutinelli, redesigned in order to snugly fit inside a small box that you can connect to a gate motor or any other appliance that requires remote control. The device has two relay switches that, when activated, change from a normally open state, to a closed state. All that is required to activate the Gatekeeper is to simply dial into the unit, which will trigger the opening mechanism.”

He adds: “When you purchase a Gatekeeper, entering the product code for the first time allows you to register the unit as well as create a profile, user name and password. Thereafter, homeowners can program in details of their security company, family friends and other service providers. Schedules can be created for domestic staff and servicing companies to come and go during allotted working hours, or access on or off the property can be done through a simple missed call to the unit. Equipped with a pay-as-you-go SIM card, all you have to do is top it up when necessary.”

What is more, owners can dial their gate from any phone, the missed call triggers one of two potential outputs, opening either the pedestrian or main gate, provided the unit recognises the identity of the incoming caller.

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